Technical Evaluation of Watershed Management Measures in Razin Watershed, Kermanshah, Iran

The biological and mechanical measures adapted to crucial renewable resources (water, vegetation and soil) and sustaining agriculture and soil fertility. However, local inhabitants’ participation is the main challengeable issue, particularly maintaining the constructed watershed management projects. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the watershed management measures which constructed through joint project by Forests and Rangelands Organization (FRM) and Middle East and North Africa Regions Program for Integrated Development (MENARID), conducting in Razin, Kermanshah. Each constructed measure was checked and compared with its designed characteristics. Achieving the goal of joint MENARID project through each measure was strongly considered based on adaptation with climate change condition. The results explored that rare parts of induced measures were applied which included the pit- seeding, rain-fed orchard, concreted-stony dam, gabion and dyke. The pit- seeding contributed to increase in vegetation canopy, but there was subjected to early grazing and thus the young palatable species were found in weak phonological growth. The almond orchard is developed in closed rangeland to villages or rain-fed lands. Seedling was planted in a ditch which was excavated by heavy machine. At least 70% of seedlings were dried and no willing to support by local inhabitants due to supplemental irrigation cost and tangible benefit or incomes. Field survey also did not show any necessary requirements (sever erosion, landslide or flood hazard) for concreted-stony and gabion dams. This dyke evaluated the worst measure because of its effects on heavy soil disturbance. Overall, the evaluated measures were found unsuitable and did not overcome land degradation in Razin catchment. In addition, considering the achievement the goal of MENARID, adversely, the improper agricultural activities such as up-down the slope tillage practice, converting rangeland to rain-fed lands, overgrazing, over agricultural inputs (chemical fertilizers, pests and irrigation water) are going ahead.